Barbara J. McDougall (born November 12, 1937, Toronto, Ontario) is a former Canadian politician. She is currently an advisor for Aird & Berlis LLP . A Scotiabank director since March 30, 1999, she currently sits on the Audit and Conduct Review Committee and the Human Resources Committee. Mrs. McDougall has also served as Chair of the Conduct Review/Pension Committee.

Born in Toronto, Ontario, McDougall received a B.A. from the University of Toronto in political science and economics, in 1963. She was first elected to the Canadian House of Commons in 1984 and held various government posts, including Secretary of State for External Affairs from April 21, 1991-June 24, 1993. Mrs. McDougall has remained active in conservative political circles. She is a member of the Red Tory Council and supported auto-parts magnate Belinda Stronach's campaign to become leader of the new Conservative Party of Canada in winter 2004.

Mrs. McDougall has served as a Canadian representative to the Inter-American Dialogue in Washington and The International Crisis Group in Brussels, Belgium. She also worked as a business reporter for the Vancouver Sun and an analyst for Odium Brown .

She sits on the boards of Stelco Inc., the Independent Order of Foresters and Software Design Group .

She has held the cabinet posts of Minister of State (Finance) , Minister for the Status of Women , and Minister of Employment and Immigration .

As a youth she studied tap dancing.

Related Link:

• List of Canadian Secretaries of State for External Affairs